Toby Keith, a country musician, was noted for his patriotic and party-themed songs. His career began in the early 1990s with a self-titled first album that was certified platinum in 1994. Keith created the song “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” in response to the events of 9/11, which struck a chord with military members while also sparking controversy.
The two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year frequently performed for United States military personnel. In the early 2000s, his albums Unleashed and Shock’n Y’all achieved multiplatinum status and reached No. 1. Some of his most known tunes are “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Red Solo Cup,” and the Grammy-nominated duet “Beer For My Horses” with Willie Nelson. Keith stated in 2022 that he had stomach cancer. On February 5, 2024, the acclaimed music star died at the age of 62.
Early Life
Toby Keith Covel, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, was born July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma. Keith, who was raised in Oklahoma City, began playing music at a young age, inspired by the musicians who worked in his grandmother’s supper club. After working in the oil sector and playing defense in the United States Football League, he chose to pursue a career in music.
Music Career
Keith signed with Mercury Records in the early 1990s, and his self-titled debut album, released the previous year, was certified platinum in 1994. His subsequent albums, Boomtown (1994) and Blue Moon (1996), were equally successful, courtesy to big hits like “Who’s That Man” and “Me Too.” In 1997, he collaborated with Sting to create “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying,” which garnered them a Grammy nomination. Keith’s first of seven in his career.
Keith’s 1999 album, “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” received Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and earned him the title of Top Male Vocalist. Keith achieved a career first by topping the country album charts with his album “Pull My Chain” in 2001. In 2001, the singer won his first Country Music Association (CMA) Award for Male Vocalist of the Year.
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”
Keith’s father died in a car accident in 2001, as well. The encounter, paired with the events of September 11, inspired Keith to compose the controversial “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American),” which became extremely popular, particularly among military members. Released in May 2002, the song anchors his 2002 album Unleashed and is now a multi-platinum hit.
Keith’s first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, Unleashed, featured a hit duet with Willie Nelson, “Beer for My Horses.” The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards: Best Country Song and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals.
Keith was voted Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in both 2002 and 2003. He earned extra media attention in 2003 after he clashed with Natalie Maines, the Chicks’ lead vocalist. The two exchanged barbs, with Maines claiming that “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)” made “country music sound ignorant.” Keith took offense when Maine said she was “ashamed” of President George W. Bush during a concert. During his own concerts, he projected images of Maines as Saddam Hussein on a TV screen while performing his popular patriotic song.
Country Stardom
In November 2003, he released “Shock’n Y’All,” which topped the country and pop album charts. The recording’s title is a play on the military idiom “shock and awe,” from the Iraq War, and his homage to the troops, “American Soldier,” was a great success. With songs like “I Love This Bar” and “Weed With Willie,” he maintained a good-ol’ boy image while still demonstrating a sense of humor about getting high with Willie Nelson.Keith won another ACM Award for Album of the Year with Shock’n Y’all.
His following album, Honkytonk University (2005), included a duet with Merle Haggard on “She Ain’t Hooked on Me No More.” The album’s biggest track, the ballad “As Good As I Once Was,” helped Honkytonk University top the country charts for 7 weeks. The song’s video earned the CMA Award for Music Video of the Year. Keith was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame that same year, honoring his native state.
White Trash with Money, published in 2006, had popular songs including “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” and “A Little Too Late.” In addition to becoming a best-seller, the album garnered numerous excellent reviews.
U.S.O. Tour and Movie
Keith’s 2007 albums, Big Dog Daddy and A Classic Christmas, were well-received by music fans. Keith and his family reached a settlement in their lawsuit over his father’s death in a 2001 accident.
Keith made several life-threatening stops while driving. In April 2008, he performed 18 gigs for US troops in the Persian Gulf as part of a USO tour. Keith was even forced to pause during one of his concerts due to mortar fire, but he returned to the stage as the onslaught had ended.
Later same year, he acted in the big screen comedy “Beer for My Horses” as a small-town deputy who arrests a Mexican drug lord, leading to the kidnapping of his girlfriend by the drug lord’s brother. Keith co-wrote and co-produced the film, which included appearances by Ted Nugent and Willie Nelson. Some critics panned the picture. “Even ticketbuyers with a hearty appetite for hayseed humor may be repulsed by the coarse… tomfoolery,” according to an article in Variety.
More Hit Songs: “Red Solo Cup,” “Made In America,” and “Don’t Let the Old Man In”
Offscreen, Keith thrived as a performer. In 2008, he released “That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy,” which topped the country album charts and featured the hits “God Love Her” and “Lost You Anyway.” Keith, a successful live performer, kept a busy tour schedule. His 2009 Toby Keith’s America’s Toughest Tour included stops in the United States and Europe.
Keith received critical recognition in 2011 for his albums “American Ride” and “Bullets in the Gun,” published in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Clancy’s Tavern, released in 2011, had the songs “Made in America” and “Red Solo Cup,” written by The Warren Brothers, Brett and Jim Beavers. After hearing the viral YouTube song, Keith collaborated with the ensemble to produce a version for his album.
In the following year, the country artist released Hope on the Rocks, adding to his recent success. The album did not do as well as his prior work, with the title tune debuting at No. 29 on the Billboard country music charts. Following Hope on the Rocks, he released his next album, Drinks After Work, in 2013. The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, featuring the famous track “Shut Up and Hold On”. Keith’s album 35 MPH Town included the single “Drunk Americans” released in 2014.Keith was elected into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015, and the album was released same year.
In 2017, Keith agreed to sing at Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration performance at the Lincoln Memorial on January 19. However, he stated that his appearance was for the country, not to support a candidate or political party. “I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I performed at events for previous presidents [George W.] Bush and Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.”
Keith’s next song was inspired by Clint Eastwood, a film actor and director. During a golf event in 2018, the artist inquired about Clint Eastwood’s upcoming film, The Mule, and his source of energy. “I just wake up every morning and go outside. “And I don’t let the old man in,” Eastwood said Keith, inspiring him to write a song for the film.
“Don’t Let the Old Man In” had a long shelf life, eventually reaching No. 1 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart in October 2023, following Keith’s performance at the People’s Choice Country Awards. He also collaborated with BMLG Records to deliver the song on country radio around the same time.
Keith received the National Medal of Arts from President Donald Trump in January 2021. Keith released his final album, Peso in My Pocket, nine months later. The album featured successful singles “Happy Birthday America” and “Old School.” In December, the singer earned the BMI Icon Award.
Keith’s most recent album, 100% Songwriter (2023), included classics from his early career, such as “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” and “Who’s That Man.” In December 2023, Pandora honored the country musician with a Billionaire award after his songs received 3 billion streams just a month after their release.
Wife and Children
Keith married Tricia Lucus in 1984. The couple had two children: a daughter, Krystal, born in 1985, and a son, Stelen, born in 1997. Keith also adopted Lucus’ daughter Shelley following their marriage.
Lucus and Keith met at a club shortly after Keith graduated high school in 1979. The singer had obtained a job as an oil field worker while still performing in local taverns with his band, the Easy Money Band. “I was 19, and he was 20,” Lucus told People. “He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence.” The pair dated for three years before getting married. In 2006, Lucus assisted Keith in establishing the Toby Keith Foundation to assist cancer-stricken children and families.
Krystal, like her father, became a musician, but she has moved away from the spotlight in recent years to raise her two girls. Stelen is a real estate investor.
Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Keith stated in June 2022 that he had been in treatment for stomach cancer since the fall of 2021. He underwent surgery and received chemotherapy and radiation treatments over a six-month period. Still, he was ready to resume performing. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family.” But I’ll see the fans sooner rather than later. “I can’t wait,” he stated.
In a December 2022 interview for CMT Hot 20, the artist expressed optimism on his prognosis. Keith reported to The Oklahoman in June 2023 that his tumor had reduced by one-third and his health was improving, indicating the effectiveness of the therapies.
Keith attended the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards in September, where he got the Country Music Icon award. Following his acceptance speech, Keith gave his first live performance since his diagnosis, singing “Don’t Let the Old Man In”. He also played three nights at the Park MGM in Las Vegas in December. However, his good health did not endure.
Keith died “peacefully” on February 5, 2024, as announced on his website. The 62-year-old died surrounded by his family.
Net Worth
Keith’s net worth was estimated by Celebrity Net Worth to be around $400 million in early February 2024.